Thunderbolts*
April 29th, 2025
MOVIE: THUNDERBOLTS*
STARRING: FLORENCE PUGH, SEBASTIAN STAN, LEWIS PULLMAN, DAVID HARBOUR, HANNAH JOHN-KAMEN, WYATT RUSSELL, JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS
DIRECTED BY: JAKE SCHREIER
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG-13
RUN TIME: 126 MINUTES
It’s hard to believe the Marvel Cinematic Universe is in desperate need of a “win,” but fans are growing restless creatively. The influx of television shows left many wondering what the MCU’s overarching direction was. Film entries such as The Marvels and Captain America: Brave New World have felt more like recap sessions than compelling stories, leaving audiences yearning for the glory days of Endgame. The unexpected answer to this slump comes in the form of a ragtag crew of misfits: the Thunderbolts*. Composed of villains seeking redemption, knock-off heroes who never quite measured up, and outsiders in search of purpose, this team delivers a group of anti-heroes that feel fully realized. Thunderbolts* is dark, funny, and injects a much-needed jolt of energy into the superhero genre.
For those unfamiliar, the Thunderbolts are a collection of mercenaries and outcasts recruited by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), a rogue operative within the U.S. government. The team includes Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), a trained assassin and sister to Black Widow; Alexei Shostakov aka Red Guardian (David Harbour); the disgraced Captain America replacement John Walker (Wyatt Russell); and Ava Starr, also known as Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen). Their mission is to eliminate one another, but instead they band together—thanks in part to the ever-reliable Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)—to take down Valentina and her dark agenda.
True to Marvel tradition, the film is helmed by a somewhat surprising choice: Jake Schreier, best known for smaller films like Robot & Frank and Paper Towns. While his previous work didn’t scream “blockbuster,” Schreier brings a grounded sensibility that works remarkably well here. The screenplay by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo balances snarky, sarcastic banter with genuine emotional depth. These characters may act like they don’t care, but beneath the surface, they’re desperate for acceptance.
The action is solid, and the cast’s loose, almost irreverent chemistry gives the film a breezy energy. They know they’re not the most iconic team in the Marvel lineup—and that’s precisely why they’re fun to watch.
A standout element is the inclusion of Bob (played by scene-stealer Lewis Pullman), a mysterious sixth member who keeps his powers hidden until a climactic reveal that echoes Endgame in scale and emotional payoff. Rather than relying on cosmic-level powers like Thor’s, the Thunderbolts have to scrape and claw their way through challenges. It’s this underdog spirit that lends the film surprising emotional weight.
What truly makes Thunderbolts shine is its willingness to explore the darker, more human side of superheroism. Themes of depression, isolation, and identity are front and center. While that might make it a tougher watch for younger viewers, it offers something increasingly rare in the MCU: relatability.
In embracing its grit, vulnerability, and humor, Thunderbolts* gives Marvel the creative spark it sorely needed. Like a bolt from the blue, this film proves that even the most unlikely heroes can reignite the magic.
3 STARS
THUNDERBOLTS* IS PLAYING IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE THURSDAY, MAY 1ST, 2025.
Written by: Leo Brady
